The Why & How of Woodworking: A Simple Approach to Making Meaningful Work

by Michael Pekovich

Overview

Michael Pekovich's The Why & How of Woodworking is a time-tested must-have resource for anyone looking to create meaningful and lasting pieces, blending practical techniques with a deep appreciation for the craft.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, The Why & How of Woodworking offers a blend of inspiration and practical advice that will elevate your craft and help you create pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful.

This bestselling book reflects the growing appreciation for the handmade, a movement toward simplifying, and the joy of creating lasting pieces. It's the ultimate guide for the modern DIYer and maker, offering a philosophy that elevates the craft from a hobby to a rewarding life skill.

Instagram sensation Michael Pekovich explains how to make work that is worth the time and effort it takes to make it—work that will add to the quality of our lives. By mastering the fundamentals in this book, you will not only create beautiful items but also gain the skills to save significant money on furniture and even start generating income from your own custom pieces.

Learn the basics of woodworking, from choosing lumber with care, cutting joinery accurately, and preparing and finishing the surfaces. This simple approach guides you through designing and building cabinets, boxes, chests, casework, and tables—all built to last a lifetime.

The Why & How of Woodworking is the essential roadmap for anyone looking to fill their life with meaningful, useful objects.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Guidance: Learn the essentials of woodworking, from selecting the right lumber and mastering joinery to finishing surfaces with precision.
• Timeless Projects: Discover a variety of projects, including cabinets, boxes, chests, casework, and tables, all designed to stand the test of time.
• Inspirational Approach: Embrace a philosophy that values simplicity and functionality, encouraging you to create pieces that enrich your life and environment.
• Expert Insights: Benefit from the wisdom of Michael Pekovich, a seasoned furniture maker and creative director at Fine Woodworking, who shares his approach to both woodworking and life.
• Beautifully Illustrated: Enjoy stunning photography and detailed illustrations that bring each project to life, making it easy to follow along and achieve professional results.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631869273
Publisher:	The Taunton Press
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Edition description:	Seventh Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Michael Pekovich is a highly respected furniture maker, teacher, and creative director with a philosophy that simple is usually better in both design and life. For over 25 years, he has been deeply involved with Fine Woodworking magazine, where he currently serves as the Editor and Creative Director. Trained in both furniture making and graphic design, Pekovich is celebrated for his clear, inspiring, and approachable teaching style. He is the author of foundational books like The Why and How of Woodworking and Foundations of Woodworking: Essential Joinery Techniques, both of which aim to make the craft easier for woodworkers of all skill levels. A passionate educator, he regularly leads workshops across the country, focusing on the fundamental skills necessary to create lasting, meaningful pieces of furniture.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Finding Your Path
2. Get Your Hand Tools Going
3. Basic Building Strategies
4. Cabinets
5. Boxes
6. Chests
7. Casework
8. Tables
9. Design: Making it Your Own

Editorial Reviews

"As practical as it is inspirational, I think that any woodworker will thoroughly enjoy The Why and How of Woodworking”.

Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement.

"Mike Pekovich has done a gentle and beautiful job of explaining his approach to being in the shop and to becoming a furniture maker...Everyone can learn from his experience."

author of Handmade, Creative Focus in the Age of Distraction - Gary Rogowski

"Like the furniture Michael Pekovich builds, his book is disarmingly beautiful and unfailingly useful. It brims with essential information for the designer and maker of furniture, all of it lucidly explained and illustrated. Pekovich is the best kind of teacher —one who has never stopped learning himself. His book will be an enduring wellspring of inspiration—for its furniture, its photographs, and for the generous spirit of its writing."

Fine Woodworking - Jonathan Binzen

"It's no surprise that the art director of Fine Woodworking should turn in such a beautifully rendered package, but the wisdom Mike Pekovich imparts herein might just unexpectedly delight you...He delivers the secrets of woodworking alchemy: keep it simple, sharpen, sharpen again, and value your mistakes."

Nick Offerman - actor comedian

"Mike Pekovich has done a gentle and beautiful job of explaining his approach to being in the shop and to becoming a furniture maker...Everyone can learn from his experience."

Gary Rogowski - author of Handmade